Did you hear? There is a new skin clinic in town. DeClinics is in the middle of the Todd Mall, next to Talapi Art Gallery, taking up the space that used to be Mall Medical. deClinics offer a range of services including full body skin checks, Acne Treatments

deClinics is a specialised clinic that can treat your face for Ageing Skin, Skin Disorders, Scar Revision, Skin Lesions, Vascular Lesions, Skin Cancer, Skin Health Maintenance. It is a Medical aesthetic clinic run by trained doctors, nurses and dermal clinicians/therapists. All staff employed by deClinics has had extensive training in Light Based Therapies and Dermal Regenerative Therapies ensuring a highly skilled and qualified professional performs your treatment.

I love a good facial. There is just something about lying still for half an hour and having your face really cleaned. HydraFacial is an amazing tecnology that delivers the results of an advanced facial in under 30 minutes. HydraFacial uses a patented technology that can simultaneously cleanse, exfoliate, clear congested pores and deliver nourishing serums. In addition to instantly noticeable results after each treatment you will also experience longer lasting results with a short series of Hydrafacial treatments.

HydraFacial focuses on the unique philosophy of ‘Skin Health for Life’. When our skin looks good and feels good, we feel good too. So, for long-term healthy skin and a glowing complexion why settle for an ordinary facial, when you can choose a HydraFacial?

I love the whole experience surrounding a facial. The soft light, the music, the ambiance. This facial stripped that back to a clinical procedure. Bright lights. Chair that seems more like the dentist than a facial. The procedure however, felt like something was happening. Ever had that facial that seems as though all they’ve done is wash of your makeup and put on a bunch of cream? Well this one felt like it was working. The staff were lovely and they have a great range of skin care products for sale including Alpha-H and Dermalogica

deClinics is at 1/53 Todd Mall. Pop in and have a chat about your skin concerns today.

I love all the Christmas flamingos popping up everywhere. There’s something a little Australian about them, hey?! We could adopt them as an Australian animal, couldn’t we? The flamingo with a santa hat is popping up everywhere and I, for one, am right on board.

These flamingos are all from Kmart but you can also get beautiful flamingo decorations, sans hat from Down to the Woods.

Territorians have always known we live in the best region on earth, but it’s nice to have it recognised on the global stage. Global travel authority Lonely Planet has chosen The Red Centre, Australia as one of the world’s Top 10 Regions for next year in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2019, released today.

Best in Travel 2019 is Lonely Planet’s 14th annual agenda-setting collection of the world’s hottest destinations, experiences and trends for the year ahead. The best-selling inspirational travel yearbook highlights the top 10 regions, cities and countries that Lonely Planet’s experts recommend travellers experience in 2019.

The Red Centre, Australia is ranked fourth on the book’s list of Top 10 Regions 2019.

“At the spiritual heart of Australia’s Red Centre is the country’s most recognised natural wonder, Uluru,” Lonely Planet says. “In 2019, this sacred site is finally closing to climbers, almost 150 years after explorers decided to ‘conquer the rock’. Instead, visitors will find that this World Heritage site – recognised for its outstanding natural and cultural values – conquers them.”

“Learn about the unique world view of the traditional custodians of this place,” the book encourages, “and see the stars and the desert with new eyes. Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock and the Olgas), Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) and Alice Springs nearby.”

Have you booked a holiday for next year yet? The Red Centre should be at the top of your list (ignore numbers 1-3 and skip straight to 4). You’re in for a trip of a lifetime.

October is well underway. With school holidays keeping us busy beyond belief for the first two weeks, we’re now entering end of year planning phase. Dresses for cup day luncheons, pink because we love pink, rainbows and halloween. Lulu is very excited to be going trick or treating for the first time this year. Next year we may even end up with a halloween party at our house, you never know.

Jemima and I have been doing a lot of cardio walks into town and back again. Feels great to be out and about. I think she loves the fresh air too! We were excited to see new street art in the Page 27 laneway. With these bright colours you can't help but feel excited.

Smoothie bowls - how did I not know about these before now? I find that smoothies in a glass don't fill me up, but these do. Just make that smoothie (we love pink grapefruit and banana) then pour it into a bowl with some seeds, coconut and muesli on top. The girls love them too!

I was recently sent samples of a new skin care range to try by a new Australian natural skincare company called, Herbs and Heart. Herbs and Heart created their skin care lines through a desire to have less chemicals and more transparency in skincare. Inspired by the green foods movement, Herbs and Heart, realise the raw benefits of green ingredients and have formulated a two-step skincare regiment using natural and ethically-sourced green foods to feed and nourish the face.

Green foods have been shown to contain high counts of antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, and can serve as an effective detox system, particularly when consumed in the morning before the body is subject to environmental and lifestyle stressors.

like a coffee for your face

Advocates for ‘sophisticated simplification’, the Herbs and Heart Elixir is considered a morning serum staple by awakening tired skin, enriching it with antioxidants and vitamins, and providing an instant glow. Unique to other serums on the market, this dose of nutrients glides onto skin smoothly and is instantly absorbed. Containing green coffee bean enzymes, avocado fatty acids, and moisture-balancing jasmine, this unparalleled concoction promises to fight free radical damage, relieve puffiness and minor pigmentation, stimulate elastin and add hydration. With a matte finish effect, the Elixir also contains gold mica which manifests in a naturally radiant, glowing complexion. The Elixir is like a coffee for your face. This gives me a little wake up boost each morning. I love it.

keeps your skin soft & dewy all day

Continuing with the concept of 'food for the skin’, the Herbs and Heart Aloe Whip moisturiser is whipped to a smooth consistency for a silky application. Containing naturally occurring aloe, the moisturiser provides a solid base for vitamins C and E, including beta carotene, to improve the skin’s firmness and hydration. The inclusion of oats not only gives the moisturiser a delicious vanilla muesli scent, but serves as a protective film; fortifying the skin’s natural UV barrier and sealing in moisture. In turn, this allow the serum and other active ingredients to deeply penetrate and continually nourish the skin throughout the day. The Alice Springs air sucks the moisture out of your skin. It’s essential that your skin starts the day fully hydrated. The Aloe Whip comes to the party on this. It goes on light and keeps your skin soft and dewy all day.

Herbs and Heart are cruelty-free and use only the finest of locally sourced ingredients, you can purchase online at: www.herbsandheart.com, and retails from $28 RRP. I was sent samples of these products but all opinions are my own. I loved them and you will too.

Spring is in the air and in Alice Springs, Spring always holds a hint of the the summer to come. We are currently getting our backyard in order for all the sweet summer gatherings. Spring is the time to clean out, to plant, to prepare for the hot months when no one feels like doing anything at all. Kind of like preparing for the winter hibernation but with a lot of sunshine.

Coffee making, backyard upgrade in progress, roses for a baby party, babies in bonds onesies, tv time and back to BMX.

Zelda is killing it at BMX. She didn't do well for the first few tries so we gave it a rest (and had a baby in the meantime) and now she rides like a speed demon. Her little legs going like crazy up the hills and coasting down.

We started a mini backyard reno. Giving up on grass & going with rocks and a mini bmx track. More on this in the coming weeks (or months- as it is finished).

We held a small baby party for Jemima. To ease my guilt of not celebrating her arrival & to catch up with our friends that we haven't seen while I was so sick.

Bonds wondersuits are the only clothing you need for baby.

Tv time - weekends start far too early because these two want the tv on asap.

This months Things I love is a combination of newborn necessities, well mother of newborn necessity and things to get us through the last stages of this winter! How's August been treating you? We've started a few backyard projects over the last few weekends but the cold snap has taken us by surprise.

Just when we thought the weather had turned warm, it snapped back to cold, with chilly winds and overnight frost. Though we will soon be complaining about the heat, this winter is going out with a bang so to get us through the last days of the winter, I ordered a box of Tenafeate Creek Wines shiraz cleanskins.

Bang On - Myf Warhurst & Zan Rowe talking about the events of the week on this podcast. It is like having a friday night chat with old friends. The cultural references speak to anyone who was a teenager (and big Triple J fan) in the 90s and their music selection is spot on!

Queer Eye - You have to watch the new Netflix reboot of Queer Eye! It is heartwarming and thought provoking tv. Perfect daytime watch. If you haven't caught it yet, cast your eye over the Australian episode - watch here.